Propulsion system for assistance when paddling in surfing

ABSTRACT

Propulsion system for assistance when paddling in surfing; comprising a propellant device ( 1 ), hydro jet type, intended to be mounted on a surfboard (T); and a control device ( 2 ) in the manner of a bracelet or bracelet suitable for its attachment on a users arm. The control device ( 2 ) comprises: —a microprocessor ( 21 ), —a supply battery ( 22 ), —sensors ( 23 ) that provide the microprocessor ( 21 ) with suitable data to identify the users rowing action, calculating the speed and intensity of paddling and generating a control signal proportional to the paddling intensity of the user and; —a wireless communication means ( 24 ) that transmits the control signal to the propelling device ( 1 ); and wherein said propelling device ( 1 ) varies the propulsion power as a function of the signals received from the control device ( 2 ).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a propulsion system for assisting the paddlingin the practice of surfing comprising a propelling device intended to bemounted on a surfboard; with the particularity that said propellingdevice is controlled electronically and wirelessly by a control devicesuitable for being placed on an arm of the user and which translates theuser's strength and speed of paddling into a proportional control signalof the propelling device; so that the propelling device supplies a driveproportional to the paddling intensity of the user.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is applicable in the practice of surfing.

STATE OF THE ART

In the last decade, both the practice of the surf and the lifestyle, theway of dressing and the tourism associated with it, has increasedexponentially, becoming a popular sport of easy initiation in multiplesites of the planet.

This new situation causes that the public that accedes to begin in thesurf is very varied in terms of age and physical condition.

Surfing is a very demanding sport physically and technically, as well asbeing dangerous on multiple occasions due to various factors, such asthe complexity of the tides, the impacts of the waves and the physicalwear to which the practitioners are exposed, which are not always in thebest physical conditions.

The forecasts are that this sector will continue to grow in number ofusers and new companies are appearing to offer the service of trainingand rental of material.

The materials used are being modernized in some aspects, such as theincorporation of technical fabrics into garments that offer greaterthermal protection; or the incorporation in the surfboard of impulsemeans controlled at will by the user and that allow to move withoutmaking any effort.

Obviously, the incorporation of these means of drive in the surfboard,eliminates the need to make a physical effort to practice surfing andtherefore one of the important aspects of surfing is precisely thepractice of a sport with an important physical requirement, especiallyduring the paddling operation to overcome and catch the wave, or “takeoff”.

Another point to keep in mind is that the practice of surfing isstationary, which means that users are not regularly practicing thissport of high physical demand, so at the time of practice, they are notalways in optimum physical condition to be able to practice surfingproperly.

Taking into account the physical demand that requires practicing andenjoying surfing, the technical problem that arises is the developmentof a paddle assistance system that provides the user with safety andassistance in the displacement produced by paddling proportional to theeffort of paddling by the user, for example to leave a complicated area,but with requiring its operation physical effort of the user.

It is worth mentioning that the applicant of the present invention isunaware of the existence of previous background that present technical,structural and constitutive characteristics like those presented by thepaddle assistance system in the surfing practice of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to face these problems, a propulsion system has been designedfor surfing assistance in the practice of surfing, being of the typethat incorporates a propelling device associated with the surfboard, ithas the particularity that said propelling device is controlledelectronically and wirelessly by a control device suitable for beingplaced on a user's arm which translates the force and speed effected bythe user when paddling on a proportional control signal of thepropelling device.

The control device has a configuration such as a bracelet or armband,suitable for attachment to a wrist or arm of the user and comprises: —amicroprocessor, —a power supply battery, —sensors that provide themicroprocessor with data suitable for identifying the action ofpaddling, calculating the speed and intensity of paddling and generatinga control signal of the propelling device proportional to the paddlingintensity of the user and; —wireless communication means, suitable fortransmitting the control signal to the propellant device incorporated inthe surfboard.

It should be mentioned that the sensors integrated in the control devicecomprise at least one of those indicated below: a pressure sensor, aninclinometer, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor or an accelerometer. Thepossibility of incorporating in the control device sensors capable oftaking from the user the values of vital signs that vary during theperformance of an effort or in a stress situation, such as bloodpressure or heart rate, has also been envisaged.

The propellant device, hydro jet type, comprises: a propeller orpropeller driven by the corresponding motor, power batteries and controlunit provided with a wireless receiver for capturing the signals comingfrom the control device; and wherein said control unit is responsiblefor varying the power of propulsion according to the signals receivedfrom the control device, and consequently proportional to the user'spadding intensity.

In an embodiment of the invention, the propeller device is integrated ina detachable keel provided with standard fastening means, which allowsits incorporation into any current surfboard of the market and of anymanufacturer.

This feature allows the system of the invention, composed of thepropelling device and the control device, not to be integrated orpermanently associated with a certain surfboard, and which can bedisassembled and transported in a small space, without the surfboard,for later assembly in any other surfboard.

This propulsion system gives the user more power in the paddling,necessary to match its speed with the wave and to start then the phaseof catching the wave or “take off” and surfing.

If the user is not paddling the device does not provide propulsion,since the propulsion goes direct, provided and only associated with thepaddling action of the user, if the user does not row the system doesnot propel.

This feature provides a very real feeling to the user since it willnever be propelled only artificially, unlike what happens with existingproducts in the market.

With this drive system the technique is not altered, nor the natural orauthentic practice of surfing since the knowledge, experience to have agood position and control the timing depends on the knowledge of thesurfer, as well as the technique of tracing and catch the wave or “takeoff” and the next maneuvers of turns on the wave.

Actually, this drive system only gives you a plus power proportional tothe force applied in the paddle just at the time of rowing a selectedwave before trying to catch it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and in order to facilitate theunderstanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawingsin which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, the followinghas been represented is attached to the present specification:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the propulsion system for assisting thepaddling in the practice of surfing, in a position of use.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the different elements of the control device,integrated in the bracelet of FIG. 1 that has been partiallyrepresented.

FIG. 3 shows an elevational and partially sectioned view of thepropeller device integrated in a keel for surfboards and disassembledfrom a surfboard that has been partially represented and sectioned.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The propulsion system for surfing assistance in the surfing practiceshown in FIG. 1 comprises a propelling device (1) mounted on a surfboard (T) and a control device (2), in the manner of a bracelet, placedon an arm of the user.

As can be seen in the diagram of FIG. 2 the control device (2),comprises: —a microprocessor (21), —a power supply battery (22),—sensors (23) that provide the microprocessor (21) suitable data toidentify the paddling action of the user, calculate the speed andintensity of paddling and generate a control signal proportional to thepaddling intensity of the user and;

-   -   wireless communication means (24) suitable for transmitting the        control signal to the propellant device (1) incorporated in the        surfboard (T).

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the hydro jet-typepropeller device (1) comprises: a propeller or propulsion propeller (11)with the corresponding motor (12), —a control unit (13) provided with awireless receiver (not shown) of the signals from the control device (2)and power batteries (14).

As mentioned, the function of the control unit (13) is to vary thepropulsion power as a function of the signals received from the controldevice (2), and consequently proportional to the user's paddingintensity, providing an assistance to the paddling action.

In the embodiment shown, the propeller device (1) is integrated into aremovable keel (15) provided with standard fastening means (16) formounting on different surfboards.

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, aswell as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the appropriatepurposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of thedescribed elements may be modified, provided that this does not entailan alteration of the essential features of the invention that areclaimed below.

1. Propulsion system for assistance when paddling in surfing,comprising: a propellant device, hydro jet type, intended to be mountedon a surfboard; a control device with a bracelet or bracelet-likeconfiguration suitable for being held on an arm of the user andcomprising: a microprocessor, a power supply battery, sensors thatprovide the microprocessor with suitable data to identify the user'spaddling action, calculate the speed and intensity of paddling andgenerate a control signal proportional to the paddling intensity of theuser and; a wireless communication means that transmits the controlsignal to the propelling device; and wherein said propelling devicevaries the propulsion power as a function of the signals received fromthe control device, and proportionally to the user's padding intensity.2. System, according to claim 1, wherein the propellant device, hydrojet type, comprises: a propeller or propulsion propeller with thecorresponding motor, a control unit provided with a wireless receiver ofthe signals from the control device and power batteries (14); andwherein said control unit is responsible for varying the propulsionpower based on the signals received from the control device.
 3. System,according to claim 2, wherein the propelling device is integrated into aremovable keel provided with standard fastening means for mounting ondifferent surfboards.